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The Paraguayan Football Association has reportedly lodged an official complaint with FIFA after England’s Jude Bellingham escaped punishment for covering his mouth during a match.
Images have emerged of Bellingham covering his mouth while speaking to Ghana forward Jordan Ayew during Tuesday’s World Cup match in Foxborough, which ended as a 0-0 draw.
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It comes after Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was shown a red card for covering his mouth in a confrontational situation while speaking to Turkiye defender Mert Muldur during last week’s 1-0 victory in Santa Clara, meaning he will miss the team’s final group-stage match against Australia. The rule was introduced ahead of the World Cup to help prevent instances of racism and homophobia on the pitch, with Muldur was the first player to be punished for such an offence.
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Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that the Paraguayan Football Association filed an official protest with FIFA, arguing the new regulation is not being enforced equally across all teams.
However, FIFA clarified ahead of the tournament that only players having a confrontation or argument can be sent off for covering their mouth.
“Players can continue to cover their mouth with an arm and the shirt because they may chat with friends,” FIFA referee’s boss Pierluigi Collina said before the World Cup.
GHANA COACH FUMES AT MISSED PENALTY
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz was left fuming at a “clear penalty” that was missed during Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against England in Foxborough.
During the second half of the Group L contest, England’s Ezri Konsa caught Prince Kwabena Adu on the knee, making no contact with the ball as the Ghana forward charged into the box.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Queiroz questioned whether VAR technology was working.
“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working?” he said.
“I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England [was missed]. They’re lucky. They’re very lucky.
“It was a clear penalty, red card. You have any doubts about that? You guys who saw the game have any doubts about that or is it only me that was in the game?
“I’m sorry for my sarcasm, but if I say these kind of things seriously they punish me, so I hope you understand that I’m joking.”
Former England striker Wayne Rooney thought Konsa’s effort should have been a penalty.
“Konsa takes a huge risk. His feet are off the floor when he comes flying in and he gets the man, not the ball,” he said on BBC One.
“That could easily have been given in my view.”
Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: “England were chasing the game, they were trying to score the goal but you still need that protection behind you.
“On another day, that could have been a penalty.”
Former World Cup assistant referee Darren Cann also felt the wrong decision had been made.
“As an England fan I am delighted that it wasn’t given,” he said on BBC One.
“But I have to be honest, for me this should have been referred …
“Konsa makes absolutely no contact at all with the ball, he brings down his opponent. He is airborne, he is out of control, he makes contact with the attacker. For me this was a penalty kick.”
Ghana must now avoid defeat in their final group-stage match against Croatia to progress to the knockouts.
